MINUTES OF THE

TOWN OF BARNES

 REGULAR BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2006 AT 6:30PM

 

Chairman Dick Collyard called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.  Roll call to establish a quorum was called: Meinke-here, Porter-here, Webb-here, Collyard-here, McGee-here. Quorum was established.  Clerk verified the Notice was posted in three places as required. 

Motion (Meinke/Porter) to approve the October agenda. Motion carried. The agenda as posted follows:

 

AGENDA

 

Call the Regular Town Board Meeting to order

Pledge Allegiance to the flag

Roll call/Quorum call, verification of Public Notice and Approve the October agenda

Approve the minutes of the last Regular Board Meeting-motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Voucher’s Approval

Clerk Correspondence

Department Head Reports

                Highway –Transfer Site-aluminum cans

                Cemetery

                Fire and Ambulance

                Constable

Committee/Commission Reports

                Eurasian Water Milfoil Committee

                Comprehensive Land Use Committee

Comprehensive Land Use Plan Commission

Assessor Update on revaluation

Mark Harms request to put a driveway in on an undeveloped road in Meyers Worthington Subdivision

Zoning   1) Application by David Keitzman to expand condominium unit 360 square feet on a non    conforming cabin 58 feet from OHWM of Upper Eau Claire Lake.

                2) Rezone Application from Donald Hamil – tabled from 8-15-06 Town Bd Meeting.

3) Special Use Request to build a cabin in a F-1 Forestry District - Annette Smith, Owner,         Robinson Lake Road.

Updates on Court System-Judge John Anderson & Clerk of Circuit Court Kay Cederburg

Resolution for Grant Application with Bayfield County for Development of a Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan.

Jet-Ski and Water Ski Hours Amendment to Ordinance Chapter 8

Discussion and possible Adoption of Alcohol Control Ordinance

Operator License Approval – 2 year license for Tonya Gorton

Public Comment Session – 5 minute limit for those not on the Agenda

Issues Timeline Update

 

All Department Heads are required to be at the Regular Board Meeting

 

All Department Heads and Committee Heads must submit a signed written report to the Clerk by Friday evening of the week before the meeting

 

The Town Board reserves the right to solicit information from Department Heads & Committee Heads only without opening the floor to discussion Any persons requiring special needs for handicap services please contact the Clerk.

Elaine J. Brustad, Barnes Town Clerk-Treasurer

Dated this 20th Day of October, 2006

 

 

 

Treasurer’s Report

Checking Balance from last meeting

 

$14,998.67

Receipts

 

 

 

 

$75,767.95

Check #'s 20803-20902

 

 

($62,396.47)

September Tax Payment & other direct payments

($6,494.37)

Service Charge September

 

 

($6.11)

Interest Earned September

 

 

$15.70

 

CHECKING BALANCE

 

 

$21,885.37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money Market Gen'l Fund Balance from Last Meeting

$649,587.65

Interest earned September

YTD Interest $24,953.85

$2,959.18

Transfer funds from BES Sinking

 

 

$13,544.00

 

Sub-Total Money Market Gen'l Funds

$666,090.83

Highway Dept. Sinking Fund

 

 

$1,072.92

BES Sinking Fund

 

 

 

$17,677.05

Park Savings

 

 

 

$10,506.77

Ski Trail Savings

 

 

 

$629.21

Parade-Event-Calender Fund

 

 

$1,842.60

Skate Park Savings

 

 

 

$453.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total all Money Market Funds

 

 

$698,272.67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ALL ACCOUNTS

 

$720,158.04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collyard asked if we could move the Skate Park Savings balance to the Park Savings.  He thought they had previously discussed that.  Clerk will do that.

Motion (Meinke/Webb) to accept the Treasurer’s Report as read. Motion carried.

 

Motion (Meinke/Porter) to approve the voucher’s as presented. Motion carried.

 

Clerk Correspondence  Clerk mentioned the upcoming election on November 7th.  Polls will be open from 7:00Am until 8:00PM.  Also on Thursday and Friday, November 2nd and 3rd, the Automark voting machine will be on display from 1:00PM until 5:00PM each day.  Everyone is invited to come and try out the new machine.  The electronic tabulating machine will also be tested on Friday at 2:00PM.  This is per state statute requirements.  Finally, she reported receiving the final estimate of the January 1, 2006 population for the Town of Barnes.  It is 693.

 

Department Head Reports

                Highway –Transfer Site Updates – Aluminum Cans- Jerry Witt

 The past two weeks I have been on vacation. Bergman has striped our roads and will be completing the cracksealing work this week. While I was gone Mike installed 71 of the new road signs we have received.  Sand and salt has been ordered to fill our Quonset hut and will be delivered next week.  Work has started on the reconstruction of Jim Miller Rd. and is scheduled to be completed by November 17, 2006. The specifications for this road were drawn up by Northern Wisconsin based engineering, out of Hayward, to meet minimum design standards as required by state statute 82.50. The price for reconstructing this road to minimum state standards is higher than what we have been paying in the past, but I believe the benefits in the future will far outweigh the higher initial cost.

Chairman Collyard wanted to mention he would like permission to move the aluminum can container beside the Quonset hut at the Town Hall to the Transfer site so Jerry wouldn’t have to waste the town crew’s time in removing the cans and taking them to the transfer site container now that Waste Management would be hauling them away.  The proceeds will still go to the parks department for the kids. The Board membes all felt that would be ok.

 

                Cemetery – Bud Pease – reported they had a burial for Gary Weldon on October 14th in block 3, lot 9.  No other activity.   

 

                Fire and Ambulance – Tom Renz

Since the Last month all members of the Fire Department completed Driver Operator Training for the Fire Department.  Firefighters Ken Wilk, Linda Nowaczyk and Brock Friermood completed their entry level training with live burns.   

The Fire Department received notice that they have been awarded the Wild Land Fire Grant through the Department of Natural Resources Forest Fire Protection Plan.  The total Grant is a 50/50 grant at a total of $14,082.00 or share being 7,041.00.  The way this grant works is you pay for the items up front and present them with the paid invoice and cancelled check and they reimburse the Department.  Because of this I need the budget increased by 7,041.00,  the amount we will be receiving back as the other amount was budgeted.

I also need you to increase the ambulance and Fire budget 1/2 each the cost of the new office.  The new office is complete and working great as I have moved all the paperwork off my table at home and into the office as well as tracking items more efficiently. 

I have one new Firefighter for Town Board Approval Todd Carlson.  Background check complete and okay no past history.   

2 fire runs 1 was motorcycle accident and the other was mutual aid to Drummond for a structure fire. 

Ambulance: 

The CPAP is complete everyone completed the training and it is now installed and on board the ambulance.  6 ambulance runs.  The radio inoperability grant has gone through and the Barnes Emergency services will be receiving 9 to 14 radios through the grant with no matching funds still waiting for the final paperwork to come through Emergency Management.  This Grant was obtained through The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Assistance Department of Homeland Security.   

The Fourth of July fundraiser total was just over $3000.00 split between the Fire and Ambulance.  Also on that note I will submit to the Town Board at this meeting a contract for Fireworks from premier pyrotechnics for the fourth of July fireworks which in return for entering said contract they will apply 15% of the total to the show which allows the money to go a little further. 

Motion (Webb/McGee) to approve the new firefighter, Todd Carlson for the Town of Barnes Fire Department.  Motion carried.

 Colin Nowaczek talked about submitting another grant due December 1st for hazard mitigation. There is a 10,000 gallon rail car the town of Drummond has for use as a water point. He wanted approval to bury the rail car on the rifle range property because a water point is needed for that area of the town.  They would need approximately one acre to use. Tom Renz thought the town board had approved that 2-3 years ago. This would be water for use by the Town of Barnes, Town of Drummond, the DNR, and the Forest Service.  If water was used they could pump it full again for the next time. It would need to be kept clear of snow, so he had already spoken with Jerry to see if that would be possible for them to plow the area during the winter. Collyard said they had the verbal ok to go ahead with submitting the grant, and the clerk would research it to see if prior approval had been given and will be put on the next agenda.

 

Constable- Mike O’Keefe – Mike was not available so the clerk read his report. There were 4 alarms from the sheriff, 2 fireworks/firearm complaints on east shore road, found nothing. 3 trespass complaints, hunters crossing private land. Subject had written permission from land owner.  Compaint made by a neighbor.  2 car/deer hits, contacted sheriff. 1 check welfare, family concerned about an elderly family member.  Found man at home, phone was turned down and he could not hear it.  1 neighbor dispute, subject moved fence without contacting next door property owners. Caller said fence is 12 feet inside his property line.  Contacted zoning department.      

 

Committee/Commission Reports

Eurasian Water Milfoil Committee Ingemar Ekstrom reported they had their first meeting last Saturday. On September 21st they took the new Coordinator for Bayfield County on a tour of the two lakes affected.  On the 27th they had another group.  They will be sending out letters to all the homeowners on the lakes within the next week, there will be a survey to fill out and send back. They hoped to get some input from them. Ingemar said Paul Laliberte will be a member as well as Jerry Gustafson along with the ones Collyard had mentioned at the last meeting. 

 

Comprehensive Land Use Committee -  

Lee Weisner reported the last meeting was a combined one with the Plan Commission and the Town Board. The next meeting will be on November 8th at 6:30PM, which will be an open house for people to review and comment on the land use plan.  The Public Hearing is scheduled for November 28th at 6:00PM. These two meetings will be a good chance for people to give their input on the land use plan.  People can also look over the draft at the town hall during regular office hours or view it on the website: www.barnes-wi.com

People can make comments online if they want.

 

Land Use Plan Commission – Gene Ratzel – The Plan Commission meeting was held on October 19th. Regarding the zoning application for David and Elizabeth Keitzman, Unit 5 at Hanks Resort, by a majority vote the Commission recommended denying the varience request.  They reviewed and recommended changes to the Comprehensive Land Use draft of “residential” and Development Criteria” descriptions.

 

Assessor Update on Revaluation – Collyard had asked Charlotte Johnson to give a report on her progress either in writing so it could be read to the people present or if she was in town to provide the update in person.  She was not able to be in town for the meeting. The clerk read her written report as follows:

WORK HAS BEEN SLOW AND TEDIOUS BUT STEADY..  AS OF OCTOBER 15TH I HAVE DISCOVERED EXACTLY 60 IMPROVED PARCELS THAT HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM THE ASSESSMENT ROLL.  AT THAT POINT I HAVE ABOUT 57% OF THE IMPROVED PARCELS REVIEWED AND IN THE COMPUTER.  WE HAVE DONE ALOT OF WALKING INTO GATED AND OTHERWISE IMPASSABLE PARCELS TO LOOK FOR BUILDINGS. 

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF MY MOST FRUSTRATING WORK.  ON THE BUILDING QUESTIONAIRE SENT BACK, THE GUY PUTS HIS NAME, NOT THE NAME OF THE COMPANY HIS LAND IS IN, THEN TO TOP IT ALL OFF HE PUTS DOWN HIS NEIGHBORS FIRE NUMBER WHICH IS NOT EVEN ON THE SAME ROAD, BEAR FOOT VS BUCKHORN. IT TOOK THREE TRIPS TO THE SAME PLACE.  HE WAS FINALLY THERE THIS WEEKEND SO I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER. 

GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF WORK REMAINING, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING.  THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER TO COMPLETE BOOKWORK.  OPEN BOOK FOR DECEMBER 1ST&2ND OR 2ND&3RD, YOU DECIDE IF A SUNDAY WOULD BE OKAY.  IT IS OKAY WITH ME AND SINCE THERE ARE MANY OUT OF TOWN PROPERTY OWNERS IT MAY NOT BE A BAD IDEA.  BOARD OF REVIEW COULD BE MONDAY THE 4TH IF YOU WISH. 

CHARLOTTE JOHNSON

The Board discussed the dates Johnson mentioned and decided on Friday the 1st and Saturday the 2nd as the dates for the Open Book, with Monday the 4th of December as the Board of Review.

 

Mark Harms request to put a driveway in on an undeveloped road in Meyers Worthington Subdivision.  Collyard explained Mr Harms had requested permission to put a driveway in on a platted road which is currently undeveloped in the Meyers Worthington Subdivision for better access to his lots. Collyard had consulted with the Town’s Attorney, who gave the Town a few options. One would be for the town to construct a road as platted.  The second would be for the town to vacate these platted roads in the Meyers Worthington Subdivision. The third would be to allow the Harms to construct a driveway at their own expense and to let them know the Town could exercise the first two options any time in the future, although this would be unlikely.  Motion (Meinke/Porter) to allow the owner to construct a driveway at their own expense with the understanding that, while it is unlikely, the Town could exercise the first two options at any time in the future.  Motion carried.

 

Zoning   1) Application by David Keitzman to expand a condominium unit 360 square feet on a non-comforming cabin 58 feet from the OHWM of Upper Eau Claire Lake.  The agent who was purchasing the unit contingent on this varience approval spoke to the Board. They had no immediate plans to construct the addition, but would like to do so some time in the future, Motion (Porter/Meinke) to deny the request because it is too close to the lake.  Some discussion followed. Collyard felt the shoreland mitigation was proper but who would be monitoring that to ensure it would be done? Meinke felt since Ms. Hawley had no immediate plans to construct the addition it would have to come back to the Board each year for renewal. 

The Plan Commission had also recommended the denial. Collyard called for the question.  Motion carried.

 

                2)Rezone Application from Donald Hamil, original request was tabled from the 8-15-06 Town Board Meeting.  Supervisor Webb abstained, and removed herself from the table. Motion Meinke/Porter) to deny the rezone application from R-3 to R-1 because of the density of the area already and because of the support against the rezone of so many townspeople.   Collyard said he spoke with David Swan that day and he was still going to have 4 lots there, one would be an off-lake lot if the request was denied. Porter said the emails and letters received by people against the rezone was a very large amount. Motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

 

                3) Special Use Request to build a cabin in a F-1 Forestry District – Annette Smith, Owner, Robinson Lake Road.  Annette Smith was present. The cabin will be a year-round cabin with septic system installed. The property is 20 acres. Motion (Webb/Porter) to approve the special use request for a cabin to be built in a F-1 Forestry District. It meets all requirements. Motion carried.

 

Updates on the Court System – Judge John Anderson and Clerk of Circuit Court Kay Cederburg

Judge Anderson spoke first on the need for the county to update their Court room. It has been in the planning stage for two years, and the County Board will be taking this up next week at their meeting He said currently it is not set up for running any kind of computer applications. Nowadays, lawyers come in with their laptops, they want to have a power point presentation and they don’t have the facilities.  The new court room will be handicap accessible, and will address all electronic needs. He then spoke on the caseload for the county, in 2005 they had over 5,800 cases.  Of these, over 500 were criminal cases with over 100 of these being felony cases, so each week they have to put someone in jail.  He said he had begun to receive copies of the ordinances the Town of Barnes had adopted recently, and very often some of these citations could be amended down to the Town’s ordinance, which means the town could receive a portion of the fines collected. Kay Cederburg then elaborated on the caseload and presented copies of a report for the Board comparing the types and numbers of case since 1993.  She said they were all set up for when the town would be ready to start issuing citations.  Part of her report showed citations filed by various communities in Bayfield County and the monies she had collected for them. 

Motion (Webb/Meinke) to open the floor to discussion for people to ask questions of Judge Anderson and Ms. Cederburg.  Motion carried  There were a few questions asked by the audience and the Board. Cederberg thought it was refreshing to see so many people in attendance at a town board meeting.  She was very impressed so many were taking an interest in town government.  Motion (Webb/Porter) to close the floor to discussion. Motion carried. The Board thanked Judge Anderson and Ms Cederburg for coming, it was very enlightening.

Motion (Webb/Porter) to close the floor to discussion. Motion carried.

 

Resolution for Grant Application with Bayfield County for Development of a Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan. Collyard explained this was brought up to him by Karl Kastrosky of the county and he had no other information other than what was emailed in the Resolution. Motion (Webb/Porter) to adopt the resolution as written.  Discussion followed. Webb felt the resolution was too vague, they were asking for $8,000.00 and she was confused as to why they wanted us to do this when the county has already adopted their Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Town was in the process now of finalizing ours.  Porter thought we needed more information , says we agree to fulfill the goals set forth in part three of the application, and that we had received a copy of the grant application.  We had not received anything but the resolution.

Motion (Webb/Porter) to rescind their original motion to adopt the Resolution.  Motion (Meinke/McGee) to table this request until next meeting or until the Board receives more information.  Motion carried.

 

Jet Ski and Water Ski Hours amendment to Ordinance Chapter 8 – Collyard explained this was approved at the last meeting and they needed to sign the ordinance amendment approving the hours change from 6PM to 5PM quitting time.  The clerk will properly post the amendment and will send a copy to all the area businesses, and include the change in the newsletter that will go out in the taxes.

 

Discussion and possible adoption of the Alcohol Control Ordinance

Motion (Webb/McGee) to adopt the Town Liquor Licensing Procedure, Chapter 20.  Collyard said he had only one person with a negative comment about this ordinance, otherwise all the other establishments didn’t have a problem with the content. Motion carried.

 

Operator License Approval – 2 year license for Tonya Gorton – Clerk said background check was ok, Tonya had paid her fee and had a current beverage server certificate. Motion (Webb/Meinke) to approve the 2 year Operator license for Tonya Gorton. Motion carried.

 

Public Comment Session – 5 minute limit for those not on the agenda

Ginny Harvey wanted to thank everyone who was involved in buying her centennial mugs. She donated funds from the proceeds to the Ambulance and Fire Departments in memory of her late husband.

Bill Stewart, regarding the zoning request that was turned down, he especially appreciated the board comments as to why it was turned down.  Regarding the Hamil decision, he wanted to know if the final decision would be made by the county. Collyard said yes, this recommendation will go to the county and the county will make their decision at their next meeting.  The Clerk thought it was on Thursday.  Stewart then asked if all the letters submitted to the Board asking for the board to disapprove the request would be forwarded on to the County with the recommendation.  Webb said no, they were addressed to the Town Board, so they would not be forwarded on.  The Clerk said she could make copies for someone to bring them, but wouldn’t normally include them with the Board’s recommendation.  She said anyone could email the zoning committee at [email protected].  They could fax letters also.  Collyard said if someone wanted his copies they could have the whole packet to take up to the county.  Buzzy Harkness said she would take them. 

Lee Wiesner also thanked the Board for their proper decisions to protect our lakes.

Tom Renz – regarding the request to put a driveway in Meyers and Worthington subdivision by Mark Harms, he wanted to make sure the Town would be requiring a driveway permit by them to make sure it is acceptable per the new ordinance.

Collyard said we are looking at the next Board meeting to be on November 28th, with a Public Hearing at 6:00PM for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.  The Board meeting will follow at 6:30.  Note: (The Public Hearing has since been changed to December 19, 2006, at 6:00PM, before the Town Board Meeting. The November Town Board meeting will remain on November 21st at 6:30PM.)

 

Issues Timeline Updates – no changes, everything will be a work in progress except the Alcohol Control Ordinance, which was adopted at this meeting. Donna Porter asked that we put on the next agenda what we should do with the area between the hall and garage where the trees were cut down.

Motion Meinke/Porter) to adjourn the meeting of October 24, 2006.  Motion carried.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Elaine J. Brustad,

Town Clerk-Treasurer

Dated this 2nd Day of November, 2006